Put yourself on the map.

Student Visa

Most countries will require that you obtain a student visa prior to your departure
for study abroad. A student visa is a document issued by the government of the host
country, giving you permission to live and study there.

Visa requirements vary greatly from country-to-country. The fees and regulations will
also vary.

Depending on the visa needed, a student will have to apply either online or at the
country's conulate. Students will have the support of the CLU Study Abroad Center
and Partner-Affiliate programs to assist them with the Visa application process.

General Visa Information and Suggestions

Item

Description

wHen

Apply for a passport

You will need the application, two color 2x2 inch photos (free in the Study Abroad
Center), birth certificate and photo ID. It may take up to 6 weeks to receive your
passport after sending the application. More information on the process can be found
here.

There are often multiple consulates across the U.S. for each country. Determine which
consulate you will need to work with in order to apply for your visa. Consulate jurisdictions
are determined by state and can usually be found on the consulate's website. You can
find those websites here.

3-5 months prior to departure

Research visa requirements

You can find visa information on the country-specific consulate's website. You may
need to call the consulate directly to ensure you have the appropriate application.
You can search entry/exit requirements here.

3-5 months prior to departure

Gather supporting documents

Often times, consulates require that you provide a number of supporting documents
as part of your application. This can include an acceptance letter from your program,
evidence that you can support yourself financially while you are in country, and proof
of departure. Determine which supporting documents you will need early (i.e. bank
statements, flight itinerary, background check, photos, etc.)

2-3 months prior to departure

Make an appointment

Some consulates require that you submit your application in person along with all
supporting documents. It's critical that you check and double check your information
prior to arriving at the consulate. If something is completed incorrectly, you may
have to restart the process.

TIME FRAMES VARY: Often between 1-2 months prior to departure

Study Abroad!

Your visa can take anywhere from a few days to a couple months to be returned to you.
Make sure that you DO NOT plan to travel internationally during this period sinece
the consualte will have your passport and you will be unable to travel without it.

Bon voyage!

*Please note: This is merely a guideline. It is ulitmately the student's responsibility to research
visa requirements for his or her specific country. Every consulate has a different
timeline and varying requirements to consider. Determine the specifics for the consulate
early and leave plenty of time to apply.

Visa Workshop

Study Abroad Center staff will assist you in navigating the visa application process
for your particular country. A laptop is needed for the workshop.